Give Dad the gift of gadgets this Father’s Day

From home cinema systems to barbecue tools to bug-free patio time to Wi-Fi with muscle, here's something for every dad

There’s no doubt Dad likes tech toys, so why not give him the gift of gadgets this Father’s Day? And while making the right selection is often tough, here are a few ideas:

Home cinema

Epson Home Cinema 1060.

Let’s start big. If Dad thought a 60-inch screen was cool, how about streaming the 2018 FIFA World Cup of Soccer or his favourite movie withlarger-than-life images? With the Epson Home Cinema 1060 3LCD Home Theatre Projector, Dad can watch in full 1080p high definition.

With 3,100 lumens of light, the colours will be vibrant, the whites bright and a 15,000:1 contrast ratio will ensure the blacks are truly dark. Imagine the images projected on a big screen, rec room wall or even on the side of the house.

The Cinema 1060 makes for a great gift. It also connects to Dad’s computer, so he can also use it for work and those PowerPoint or Keynote presentations. You can get one for $699.99 from Epson.ca or Amazon.

Perfectly heated grill

Maverick Laser Thermometer.

It’s barbecue season and Dad always says the key to a great burger or steak is ensuring the right grill temperature, but built-in gauges are never really accurate. So Dad might really appreciate the Maverick Laser BBQ Surface Thermometer.

Dad will also love the coolness factor. It’s red with black trim, gun-shaped like a weapon you might see in a sci-fi movie. Simply aim at whatever surface you want to measure from up to five feet away, pull the trigger and the temperature displays on its bright back-lit LCD screen without ever having to touch the hot surface.

Maverick is powered via a nine-volt battery and can measure temperatures from 44º to 1,022º F (6.5º to 550ºC). It sells for about $60 and you can find it at Bed Bath & Beyond or on Amazon.

The Radius Zone Mosquito Repellent system by Thermacell.

Bugs off!

Dads are natural defenders of the family, but chances are they may not be that successful at protecting us from the dreaded mosquitoes, black flies and other nasty biters. To ensure everyone enjoys the evening out on the patio, consider the Radius Zone Mosquito Repellent system by Thermacell.

It’s cordless, lightweight and easy to use. Activated by a simple push of a button, within six minutes it will form a protection area of 110 square feet to keep the bugs at bay. It uses a convenient cartridge for the scent-free and DEET-free repellent. The repellant is carefully discharged through a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery system, so no spraying is required and no mess to clean.

The standard cartridge (included) will last for up to 12 hours. Long-life 40-hour refills are also available. Radius Zone retails for US$49.99. You can find it at L.L.Bean and Amazon.

Wi-Fi everywhere

Once the outdoor festivities are over and everyone retreats back inside, Dad will want to ensure he has a solid Wi-Fi connection whether he’s in the basement, home office or just hiding somewhere peaceful. We know home Wi-Fi can be spotty, so think about how much Dad might enjoy the TP-Link Deco M5 Whole-Home Mesh Wi-Fi System.

TP-Link Deco M5.

The kit consists of three wireless units that operate securely on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies when configured together. It’s designed to cover up to a whopping 5,500 square feet of space, virtually eliminating all the dead Wi-Fi spots in the home.

Even better, Deco M5 is easy to set up. All Dad has to do is install the app on his Android or iOS device and Deco is smart enough to help him place the Wi-Fi units in just the right place. And with TP-Link’s ART (Adaptive Routing Technology) everyone can get the best and fastest coverage. Deco can also be easily configured to give guests their own Wi-Fi passwords and it’s Alexa friendly, so Dad can use his voice to issue system commands.

TP-Link Deco M5 three packs retail for $350 and can be found at Staples or on Amazon.

Happy Father’s Day!

Troy Media columnist Greg Gazin, also known as the Gadget Guy and Gadget Greg, is a syndicated veteran tech columnist, communication, leadership and technology speaker, facilitator, blogger, podcaster and author. Reach him @gadgetgreg or at GadgetGuy.ca.

The views, opinions and positions expressed by columnists and contributors are the author’s alone. They do not inherently or expressly reflect the views, opinions and/or positions of our publication.